St Mary's Basilica

September 19 - 20

 

St. Mary's dominates the central square of Krakow. Like most churches in Europe, it was built, then partially destroyed by fire, flood or war and rebuilt, rebuilt and rebuilt. It is a magnificent building, the interior soaring so high and feeling so narrow that it does feel like it reaches to the stars. Robert was spoken to by a kindly guard after violating some camera regulatin, but he talked his way out of it. Below is a random assortment of photos that in now way does the basilica justice, but they do serve as a useful memory aid for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kraków castle

September 18, 2014

You can't take pictures inside the Krakow Castle, which is unfortuante because it is a fascinating and complicated series of buildings. It was built originally in the 14th century, but then destroyed and rebuilt several times. A few pictures to give a sense of the place and its surroundings.

 

A picture of a chest inside one of the casle buildings till I was told to stop taking pictures. It is hard to imagine someone actually using something as beautiful.

Gargoyle, rainpipe

Strange things in underground passaage from castle to street.

Krakow Dragon - beware!

Robert and Pope John Paul outside the castle.

Pretty flowers and moths outside castle.

 

 

View from the Castle.

 

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Street scenes

Kraków

Imitation of the Grand Amok

This was one of the first things we saw in Kraków

And then this on a food truck

Near our hotel

Strange person

At the fair

Moose head on a bike

Beans in a head

Anna recommended this very nice, very old restaurant

 

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Jewish Kraków #2

Synagogues

Only a few of the synagogues were still functioning. Some were quite elegant. The strangest one had signs of the Zodiac.

 

 

 

Cemetery

 

 

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Jewish Krakow #1

 Street scenes

Royal Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague

September 11 - 16, 2014

Fountain outside castles

 

 

Wonderful Art Nouveau painted stained glass by Alfons Mucha in St. Vitus Cathedral

 

Flying angel

 

Putti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

s3pt3mb34

 

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Prague - St. Nicholas Church & the Infant of Prague

St. Nicholas Church is overwhelmingly baroque. Quite dizzying.

 

Infant of Prague is in a nearby cathedral. Interestingly, he has had many different outfits over the ages, which are on display at the cathedral. The Infant is said to be able to influence the weather.

 

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